[CR]Subject: [Frame] Fork Assembly

(Example: Events:Cirque du Cyclisme:2004)

From: "Anthony Mezzatesta" <mezzbike1@zoominternet.net>
To: <douglasreid@ns.sympatico.ca>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:16:49 -0500
Subject: [CR]Subject: [Frame] Fork Assembly

Hi Doug,
      To replace the steerer you first remove all the paint, than check the crown for pins, (pins are a steel spike or nail that the frame builder may uses to hold the parts together before brazing). I start by drilling them out.Than get an old front hub, lock it into the dropouts, than two blocks of wood or steel plates and clamp them lightly to the fork blades just above the rake( this is to keep the blades parallel). Flux the entire crown and part of the steerer and upper blades( flux keeps the joint clean during brazing and helps the brazing material flow) , clamp if in a vice by a portion of the crown; get a good hot flame on you torch and start heating, constantly move the flame around the crown where the steerer is till you see the brazing material turn lliquid and pull the steerer out. If the fork was brazed with silver solder, It shouldn't take much time and heat; but if its brass brazed, you may need a very large tip on your torch to do it and you may want to send it to a builder, or just get a new fork. If you get it apart, you need to clean the crown to get the old brazing material out of it, than clean the new steerer with emery cloth, get any dirt or dust of both parts, put the hub back in the DO's and the plates back, pin the crown to the steerer, if you need to, flux and silver solder them together. Clean the flux off, ( it comes of with hot H2O) polish the joint and the rest of the fork and paint ;and "voila" it is done. Personally, this is not an easy thing for a novice to do.
      If you need or want to talk about doing this, give me a call. God Bless, Anthony Mezzatesta Mezzatesta Custom Cycles 909 Berkley Manor Dr. Cranberry Twp, Pa 16066 724 498 4191